Red Bull purchase a stake in Leeds four days after their heartbreaking Championship play-off final defeat – with the soft drinks giant ‘set to become their shirt sponsor next season’
- Leeds is run by 49ers Enterprises, the private equity arm of the 49ers NFL franchise
- The deal with Red Bull is reportedly still going ahead despite their play-off defeat
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Leeds United will be sponsored by Red Bull next season after the soft drinks giant reportedly struck a deal to buy a minority stake in the club.
The company’s extensive sports portfolio includes the dominant F1 team that bears its name, as well as a host of football clubs around the world.
Leeds is currently run by 49ers Enterprises, who initially arrived at Elland Road as a minority shareholder in 2018 before taking 100 percent control last summer.
The fund is made up of numerous entities and individuals, with Hollywood actor Will Farrell, the latest A-lister, being added to the list of Leeds investors earlier this month. 49ers Enterprises and Red Bull are close to finalizing the deal after talks that have been going on for some time.
Leeds will dump current sponsor BOXT as part of the new deal with Red Bull
The drinks company has a large portfolio in the sports world, including a large number of affiliated and own football clubs. (Photo: Bundesliga side RB Leipzig)
They report that the deal is still going ahead despite the club’s failure to make an immediate return to the Premier League following last weekend’s play-off final defeat.
Daniel Farke’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Wembley to agonizingly miss out on a place in the top flight after amassing an impressive total of 90 points during the campaign.
Red Bull are reportedly planning to replace the club’s existing shirt sponsor BOXT, in a deal that would represent a major increase in value on their current deal.
In addition, Red Bull will not have a seat on the Leeds board, and “changing the name of the club, the color of the shirt or the name of the stadium will not be open to discussion in any way.”